What happened to women after the second world war
After staffing in factories and farm they were expected to go back to their domestic roles
When did Williams go to live in New Orleans
1938
What are the Elysian Fields
A street, but in Greek mythology is the resting place of heroes that have died
Who could Blanche be based off of
Rose Williams (sister) who was lobotomised due to mental illness
Why is there so much music everywhere
New Orleans is a mixing pot of different cultures, and music was a symbol of communication and integration
Genre
Tragedy seen through Blanche’s downfall.
Southern gothic seen through the setting and it revolves around violence and history of the south.
Plastic expressionist theatre
- Style of a not realist play
- Setting, sounds, visual effects are essential to converting the charcters states of mind on stage
- non diegetic sounds can be used to symbolise things like power struggle
- Colour in plastic expressionist theatre is used symbolically and psychologically to represent a character’s inner emotional state and to create an atmosphere that is separate from realistic representation.
What stereotypical character is Blanche
Southern belle, symbolic of the aristocratic old south
What are there lots for references to with animistic stuff
Darwins theory of evolution, Williams suggesting society has regressed
American dream
- post WW1 (ended in 1918), everyone happy
- roaring 20s people had lots of Money excited to get a life
- The American Dream is the belief that anyone in the U.S. can achieve success, prosperity, and a better life through hard work, determination, and initiative, regardless of their background
Blanche being a threat to war society
At time when national was recovering from the trauam of WW2 and intent on promoting the values enshrined in the tradional all American family, it was hardly surprising that the chcracter of Blanche should be seen as a threat to the domestic ideal of stay at home wife and mother
What does light imagery man and contrast to
Superficlaoty and falsity of New Orleans, constants to darkness in DOM (shows power thrives of deception and darkness)
Stanley pulling steal down, juxtaposes to Blanche raising Antonio and shows wealth of old south
“ i pulled you down off them columns”
Blanch and duchess name
DOM only called dom, shows she always known by her title (which she got from a man her previous husband) Blanche always known as her name which shows her southern belle past and Blanche lit means white in french
Blanch ad duches death
Both silenced. Duchess by strangulation, and Blanche metaphorical through insitutionaitaon and removed from stage for being an outsider
